For each meeting, an agenda digest has been provided to save time since minutes are lengthy. The digest provides highlights and actions taken at each meeting. For the full minutes, please contact Frances Peyton (924-7643, ftp7e@virginia.edu).

Agenda Digest

April 9, 1998

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. In attendance were Ed Ayers, Rebecca Kneedler, Janet Horne, David Gies, Miles Townsend, Peter Low

Guest: Gene Block, Vice President for Research and Public Service

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in room 389 Newcomb Hall.

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the meeting. He introduced Gene Block, who attended the meeting to discuss the new Copyright Policy which has been proposed by the University Research Policy Advisory Committee (URPAC).

Mr. Block said the Copyright Policy was rewritten because it has been amended so often over the years that it is unclear, difficult to read, and in fact is inconsistent with Federal law and University practice. It also was not consistent with the Board of Visitors copyright policy. Mr. Block cited the inclusion of the following statement in the policy, which is stated in the Board's copyright policy. The statement reads "The University will retain copyright ownership only when significant University resources are utilized in creation of the work.

Mr. Low commented that he feels the policy is a good one, and he supports the new policy. The Council members then asked Mr. Block and Mr. Low questions regarding the policy. The Executive Council feels the policy is reasonable and clear. It now goes before the Board for approval at the May Board meeting.

Mr. Ramazani thanked Mr. Block for attending the meeting.

The Executive Council had a preliminary discussion regarding the upcoming Senate elections. Nominations for Chair-Elect, Secretary, and for several new members to serve on the Executive Council will be made at the April 29 Faculty Senate meeting. Elections will be carried out by mail ballot. The group also discussed leadership roles for the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship. Both Committees will need to appoint a new Chair to begin serving in June. The Executive Council will discuss elections further at the next meeting, which will be held on April 27.

David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, gave an update on the work of his Committee. Mr. Gies said he is still waiting on a possible location for faculty to have lunches. Peter Low will talk to Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, regarding this issue, and Mr. Low will update Mr. Gies. Mr. Gies briefed the Council members on the creation of the Alderman Cafe, web site and technology initiatives that are now beginning to come together, and the possibility of a "seminar series" and funding for such an initiative. Some members of the Executive Council agreed to help with trying to secure funding.

Peter Low reported to the group on the new faculty lunches that have occurred this year. He said the lunches have been very successful and will continue next year. The lunches include Peter Low, the Chair of the Faculty Senate, the Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, and the Past Chair of the Faculty Senate, along with a group of new faculty. There were six lunches last year, with 53 new faculty invited, and 43 attending.

Mr. Low said the Educational Policy Committee, which meets four times a year, would like for the Chair of the Faculty Senate to continue to give a brief report on the activities of the Senate at each Educational Policy Committee meeting. Ed Ayers agreed to address the Educational Policy Committee at the May 29 meeting.

Mr. Low also spoke briefly regarding Miles Townsend's concerns over a report that was released by the National Association of Scholars, the Virginia Chapter, regarding post-secondary education in Virginia. Mr. Low suggested that a member of the Executive Council review the report.

The Provost's Office will mail the "Teaching Initiative" award letters the week of April 13. There was a discussion on how the funds should be distributed -- from what office -- the offices of the deans or the office of the Faculty Senate.

Mr. Low will send the information regarding the proposed new adult degree program through the Division of Continuing Education to the full Senate in advance of the Faculty Senate meeting on Wednesday, April 29. The award winners of the Faculty Senate's Teaching Initiative will also be announced at the April 29 Senate meeting. The group also discussed possibly putting an awards announcement in the Cavalier Daily.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate